U.S. patent application number 13/348155 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-11 for dual mode funnel member.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bar's Products, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Patrick E. Mulry, Clayton Parks, JR.. Invention is credited to Patrick E. Mulry, Clayton Parks, JR..
Application Number | 20130175237 13/348155 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48743187 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130175237 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parks, JR.; Clayton ; et
al. |
July 11, 2013 |
DUAL MODE FUNNEL MEMBER
Abstract
A bottle has a funnel member defining a pouring spout attached
thereto by a retainer which allows the spout to rotate relative to
the bottle. The funnel member retains the spout in a
storage/transport mode wherein it is affixed to the exterior of the
bottle and in a use mode in which the spout is attached to the neck
of the bottle so as to facilitate transfer of a fluid.
Inventors: |
Parks, JR.; Clayton;
(Linden, MI) ; Mulry; Patrick E.; (Alto,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Parks, JR.; Clayton
Mulry; Patrick E. |
Linden
Alto |
MI
MI |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Bar's Products, Inc.
Holly
MI
|
Family ID: |
48743187 |
Appl. No.: |
13/348155 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/386 ;
222/460 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/06 20130101;
B65D 2231/007 20130101; B65D 88/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/386 ;
222/460 |
International
Class: |
B67C 11/00 20060101
B67C011/00; B65D 23/00 20060101 B65D023/00 |
Claims
1. A bottle assembly having a funnel member attached thereto, said
assembly comprising: a bottle, configured to retain a liquid in the
interior thereof, said bottle including a neck portion having an
opening defined therein in communication with the interior of said
bottle; a funnel member comprising: a pouring spout which is
engageable with the neck of said bottle so as to define a fluid
flow channel in communication with the interior of said bottle; a
retainer which engages said bottle; a first attachment portion and
a second attachment portion separate from said first attachment
portion, said attachment portions joining said spout to said
retainer; wherein said funnel member is configured to be operable
in a first, storage mode wherein said spout is not engaged with the
neck of said bottle and is retained upon said bottle by said
retainer via at least one of said first and second attachment
portions; and in a second, use mode in which said spout is engaged
with the neck of the bottle and is retained upon said bottle by
said retainer via at least one of said first and second attachment
portions.
2. The bottle assembly of claim 1, wherein said second attachment
portion includes a segment which has a tear strength which is less
than the tear strength of said first attachment portion and wherein
when said funnel member is operable in said use mode, said spout is
retained upon said bottle by said retainer via only said first
attachment portion.
3. The bottle assembly of claim 1, wherein said retainer rotatably
engages the neck of said bottle so as to permit said spout to be
rotated relative to said neck.
4. The bottle assembly of claim 1, wherein said funnel member
comprises a unitary body of a polymeric material.
5. The bottle assembly of claim 4, wherein said polymeric material
is a polyolefin.
6. The bottle assembly of claim 1, wherein said retainer includes a
plurality of detent tabs formed thereupon which maintain said
retainer in engagement with the neck of said bottle.
7. The bottle assembly of claim 1, wherein the neck of said bottle
includes a first coupling feature and the spout includes a second
coupling feature which is engageable with the first coupling
feature wherein said first and second coupling features cooperate
to couple the spout to the neck of the bottle.
8. A funnel assembly which is attachable to a bottle, said funnel
assembly comprising: a pouring spout which defines a fluid flow
channel; a retainer which is attachable to a bottle; a first
attachment portion which joins said spout to said retainer, said
first attachment portion having a first tear strength; and a second
attachment portion which joins said spout to said retainer, said
second attachment portion including a segment which has a tear
strength which is less than the tear strength of said first
attachment portion.
9. The funnel assembly of claim 8, wherein said funnel assembly
comprises a unitary body of a polymeric material.
10. The funnel assembly of claim 8, wherein said retainer comprises
a ring.
11. The funnel assembly of claim 10, wherein said retainer includes
a plurality of detent tabs projecting radially inward from the
circumference of said ring.
12. The funnel assembly of claim 8, wherein said retainer includes
at least one orientation lug defined thereupon.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates, in general, to containers for
storing and dispensing liquids. More particularly, the invention
relates to containers having an attached pouring funnel which may
be selectably disposed in a storage position in which it is
separate from the contents of the container or a use position in
which it operates to transfer the contents of the container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A large number of products are provided to consumers in the
form of liquids. Transfer of liquid products to points of use or
alternative storage locations can require the use of a transfer
device such as a funnel or pouring spout, particularly in those
instances where the fluid is viscous and/or access to the point of
use is difficult. For the sake of convenience, funnels, spouts, and
the like are often included along with containers of fluids. In
some instances, fluids may be supplied in containers which include
an integral funnel or spout; however, while such approaches are
convenient for relatively small volume containers, presence of an
integral spout or the like complicates storage, transport, and
packaging of even moderate volumes of fluid. In other instances,
prior art containers are provided with retractable spouts which, in
a storage position, are retained within the container in contact
with the fluid. The use of containers of this type can raise
problems of spillage and contamination, particularly when the
fluids involved are viscous and/or non-aqueous, such as is the case
with automotive products and the like.
[0003] As will be explained in detail hereinbelow, the present
invention provides a bottle assembly which includes a pouring spout
which is attached to the exterior of the bottle so that when the
package is being shipped or stored, the spout is not in contact
with the fluid. In the use of the package of the present invention,
the spout is readily connected to the bottle for dispensing of the
fluid without requiring removal of the assembly from the bottle.
Packages in accord with the present invention are easy to ship and
use which makes the products contained therein attractive to both
retailers and customers. These and other advantages of the
invention will be apparent from the drawings, discussion, and
description which follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Disclosed is a bottle assembly having a funnel member
attached thereto. The funnel member comprises a pouring spout which
is engageable with the neck of the bottle so as to define a fluid
channel in communication with the interior of the bottle. The
funnel member also includes a retainer which engages the bottle,
and a first and a second attachment segment join the spout to the
retainer. The funnel member functions in a first, storage/transport
mode in which the spout is not engaged with the neck of the bottle.
In this first mode, the spout is joined to the bottle by the
retainer via at least one of the first and second attachment
portions. The funnel member also functions in a second, use mode in
which the spout is engaged with the neck of the bottle so as to
allow for transfer of the fluid therefrom. In this mode, the spout
is also attached to the bottle by the retainer via at least one of
the attachment portions.
[0005] In some particular instances, the funnel member is
configured so that the second attachment portion includes a segment
having a weaker tear strength than does the first attachment
portion. In this embodiment, the spout may be partially freed from
the retainer by tearing the second attachment portion so as to
facilitate the engagement of the spout with the neck of the bottle,
while the spout is still retained by the first attachment
portion.
[0006] In particular instances, the funnel member is comprised of a
unitary body of a polymeric material such as an olefin polymer. The
retainer portion may be configured so as to allow for rotation of
the spout portion relative to the bottle so as to facilitate its
engagement with the neck of the bottle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bottle assembly of the
present invention showing the funnel member as disposed in a
storage/transport mode;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottle assembly of the
present invention showing the funnel member as deployed in a use
mode;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a funnel member of the
present invention;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the funnel member of FIG.
3;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the funnel member of
FIG. 3;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the funnel member of FIG. 3;
and
[0013] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the funnel member of
FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention comprises an assembly having a bottle
with a funnel member attached thereto. The funnel member provides a
pouring spout which can be attached to the bottle. It is a notable
feature of the present invention that the funnel member is
configured to remain attached to the bottle when it is in both a
storage/transport mode and a use mode. In the storage/transport
mode, the spout portion is retained on the exterior surface of the
bottle so as to not be in contact with the fluid retained in the
interior of the bottle. When the funnel member is in the use mode,
the spout is attached to the neck of the bottle so as to provide a
fluid channel in communication with the fluid in the interior of
the bottle. The funnel member is configured so that the spout may
be attached to the bottle without detaching it from its attachment
point to the exterior of the bottle.
[0015] It is to be understood that the system of the present
invention may be implemented in a number of embodiments; and for
purposes of discussion, one particular embodiment is illustrated
herein. Other embodiments will be readily apparent to those of
skill in the art and are included within the scope of this
invention.
[0016] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view
of an assembly comprising a fluid-containing bottle 10 having a
funnel assembly 12 of the present invention affixed thereto. As
will be seen, the funnel assembly 12 includes a pouring spout 14
which includes screw threads 16 defined thereupon. These screw
threads 16 function to couple the spout 14 to the neck 18 of the
bottle 10 when the cap 20 is removed therefrom.
[0017] As will be seen, the spout 14 is coupled to a retainer 22
which engages the neck 18 of the bottle 10. As shown, the spout 14
is attached to the retainer 22 by a first attachment portion 24 and
a second attachment portion 26. In this embodiment, the second
attachment portion 26 is a tearable portion having a segment with a
tear strength which is less than the tear strength of the first
portion 24.
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view
of the assembly of FIG. 1 wherein the spout has been deployed in
its use mode wherein it functions to transfer fluid from the
container to an endpoint. As will be seen, the second attachment
portion 26 has been torn at its junction point with the retainer
22, leaving the spout 14 still attached to the retainer by its
first attachment portion 24. The cap has been removed from the
bottle 10, and the spout 14 has been screwed into engagement with
the neck 18 of the bottle 10. In accord with the present invention,
the retainer 22 engages the neck of the bottle 18 so as to permit
rotation of the spout 14 relative to the bottle, thereby
facilitating connection.
[0019] The assembly of the present invention is particularly useful
for transferring motor vehicle fluids such as oils, fuel
treatments, cooling system products, hydraulic products, and the
like to a motor vehicle. The fact that the spout 14 is stored
separate from the fluid prevents spillage and contamination and
simplifies the transfer process. The fact that the spout 14 remains
attached to the container 10 before, during, and after the transfer
of fluid is significant since it prevents loss of the spout in the
event that only a partial transfer of the fluid takes place.
[0020] The fact that the system of the present invention employs a
dual attachment of the spout to the retainer via one permanent and
one breakable connection is also significant since, in the instance
where both connections are intact, the spout is retained in very
rigid and tight engagement with the package thereby facilitating
storage, shipping, display, and sale of the product; whereas when
the attachment portion is broken, the spout is retained in a much
looser connection with the retainer thereby facilitating its
connection to the container. It is to be understood that while this
feature is significant, in particular instances other embodiments
of the present invention may connect the spout to the retainer by
one or more nontearable attachment portions.
[0021] FIG. 3, shows a perspective view of the funnel member 12 of
FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIG. 4 shows a top plan view of the funnel
member 12. As will be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, the second
attachment portion 26 includes a groove 28 defined therein. This
groove serves to decrease the tear strength of the second
attachment portion 26 relative to the tear strength of the first
attachment portion 24. It is to be understood that such weakening
may likewise be accomplished by the use of perforations or other
geometric features or by alteration of the material properties of
the attachment portion itself.
[0022] As will also be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, the retainer 22 is
in this instance configured as a ring which encircles the neck of
the bottle, and this ring includes a plurality of detent tabs
30a-30h projecting radially inward from the ring portion. The
detent tabs are flexible and serve to maintain the retainer in
engagement with the neck of the bottle. In most instances bottle
necks are molded so as to include a raised circumferential rim, and
these detent members snap over that raised portion and thereby
function to maintain the retainer in engagement with the bottle
neck while still permitting the retainer and associated components
of the funnel member to rotate relative to the bottle. This
rotation facilitates connection of the spout 14 as discussed above,
and the groove 28 in the second attachment portion 26 as well as
the detent tabs 30a-30g will be noted.
[0023] As will be further noted from FIGS. 3 and 4, the retainer 22
may include one or more orientation lugs 32, 34 defined thereupon.
When the cap 20 is screwed onto the bottle 10 the orientation lugs
32, 34 are pushed into contact with the shoulder of the bottle 10
so as to prevent the retainer 22 from rotating relative to the
bottle 10. This serves to maintain the orientation of the funnel
assembly 12 relative to the bottle 10 during shipping, display and
sale. Removal of the cap 20 allows the funnel assembly to rotate
thereby facilitating attachment.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the funnel assembly 12,
and FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the assembly 12.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a cross-sectional
view of the funnel member 12. As will be seen, the spout portion 14
has a hollow interior which defines a fluid flow channel which,
when the spout member 14 is affixed to the bottle, will be in
communication with the interior of the volume. Also visible in FIG.
7 are the orientation lugs 32, 34. As will be noted from FIG. 7, a
series of screw threads 16 are defined on the spout portion and
will function to couple the spout portion to the bottle. It is to
be understood that other types of couplers including flanges, tabs,
and the like may be incorporated into the present invention.
[0026] The funnel member of the present invention is, in particular
instances, fabricated from a unitary body of polymeric material.
This may be accomplished readily by molding processes as is known
in the art. Some particular materials used to fabricate this member
comprise polyolefin polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene,
and the like.
[0027] It should be noted that, as illustrated, the spout portion
of the funnel member is a fairly straight spout having a slight
taper. It is to be understood that other design configurations of
spout may be likewise implemented. For example, particular
embodiments may include a longer spout or a curved spout as
dictated by design aesthetics and/or functionality. Also, it is to
be understood that certain automobile manufacturers have very
particular configurations of fuel tank filler necks which are
engageable only by specifically configured spouts. In those
instances where the present invention is adapted for introducing
fluids into tanks having such particular filler necks, the spout
may be accordingly configured.
[0028] It is to be understood that in view of the teaching
presented herein, numerous modifications and variations of the
invention may be readily implemented by those of skill in the art.
The foregoing drawings, discussion, and description are
illustrative of some specific embodiments but are not meant to be
limitations upon the practice of the invention. It is the following
claims, including all equivalents, which define the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *